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- The condition label counts for more than any phrase in the description.
- "Powers on" and "spins" do not prove the deck plays and tracks.
- "Untested" should be priced as parts.
- "No returns" still leaves the Money Back Guarantee, except 3 days for not-working or parts items.
- Ask a precise question for each vague phrase, and skip when the seller will not answer.
Start with eBay's condition label
The condition label is a structured field, so it carries more weight than any phrase in the description. For consumer electronics, eBay defines Used as an item that was previously used, may show cosmetic wear, and is fully operational. It defines For parts or not working as an item that does not function as intended and is not fully operational, including items that need repair or are missing essential components. Seller refurbished means the item has been restored to working order by the seller or a third party.
The first check is whether the label and the description agree. A listing labelled Used whose description says "untested" is contradicting itself, and a listing labelled For parts whose seller claims it "works great" should be asked to explain. Our used turntable buying guide covers the full process; this post is the phrase book.
The phrase book
| Phrase | What it tells you | What it does not | What to ask |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Powers on" | The unit receives power; a light or motor may respond | That it plays a record, holds speed or tracks | "Has it played a record? Can you send a video?" |
| "Spins" or "platter turns" | The platter rotates | Speed accuracy, noise or a working arm | "Does it hold 33 and 45 steadily?" |
| "Untested" | The seller has not checked it, or will not say | Anything about condition | Treat as parts. Ask why it is untested |
| "Sold as is" | Seller is limiting responsibility | That it is faulty or fine | Re-read the return terms and the condition label |
| "Tested and working" | Seller claims to have checked it | How, and for how long | "What did you test, and with what record?" |
| "Serviced" or "restored" | Some work was done | What work, by whom, and when | "What was replaced or adjusted? Any records?" |
| "Needs a belt" or "needs a stylus" | A known, usually fixable fault | Whether other faults exist | "Does it otherwise run? Is the old belt included?" |
| "Cosmetic wear" | The finish has marks | Whether the marks hide damage | Request close photos of the corners, lid and arm |
| "Estate sale" or "from a collection" | The seller may not know the deck | How it was stored or used | "Do you know how it was used or stored?" |
| "No returns" | Seller does not offer returns | You may still be covered if the item is not as described | Check eBay's guarantee terms before buying |
The "ask" column is the most useful one. Sellers tend to answer precise questions precisely. Our seller question builder turns these into a ready-to-send message.
What the return terms add
"No returns" does not mean "no protection." The eBay Money Back Guarantee still covers an item that arrives broken, damaged or faulty, or is not as described, even if the seller offers no returns, and it applies only if you paid through eBay. The usual request window is 30 calendar days from the estimated or actual delivery date, or the seller's stated returns window if that is longer.
There is one exception worth memorizing. If the seller offers no returns and the item was sold as not working or for parts only, the request is due within 3 calendar days of delivery. That is another reason to treat a "for parts" deck as a deliberate project, and to inspect it the day it arrives. The post on giving a used turntable as a gift shows how those dates affect timing.
Read the photos before the words
Photos are harder to spin than text. Look for the actual deck (not a stock image), the tonearm from the side, a close view of the stylus, the platter and mat, the dust cover and its hinges, and the back panel with the cords. Missing photos are information too. If a seller will not show the underside or the back, ask for one.
Things the listing rarely says
- Whether the stylus is original or worn. Assume a used stylus is near the end of its life unless told otherwise. See the stylus guide.
- Which voltage and plug it uses. Imported or older decks may be set for a different supply. Do not assume, and leave electrical checks to the manual and a qualified technician.
- How it will be packed. Turntables are damaged in transit often enough that packing is part of the listing. See the shipping checklist.
- What a fair price is. Compare sold listings, not asking prices, as the value guide explains.
Practice reading listingsOpen a search and apply the phrase book to what you see. Treat results as examples, not endorsements.eBay affiliate link
Search eBayTurning phrases into a decision
Sort every listing into one of three piles. Buy if the label, description, photos and video agree and the seller answered your questions. Ask if one piece is missing but the rest looks honest. Skip if the seller will not clarify, the label contradicts the text, or the price assumes a working deck that nobody has shown working. A cheap deck that fails the pile test is not cheap.
Check what similar decks sold forCompleted listings show what buyers actually paid, so you can judge a risky listing against a fair benchmark.eBay affiliate link
See completed eBay salesSources and verification
eBay definitions and policy points were read on eBay's help pages in October 2026. The phrase interpretations are our reading of common seller language, not eBay rules, so treat them as prompts for questions.
- eBay: Item conditions by category (Used, Seller refurbished, For parts or not working)
- eBay: Money Back Guarantee policy (coverage, 30-day window, 3-day exception, payment outside eBay)
Voltage, plug and electrical questions are for the manual and a qualified technician.